Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma arising from mucinous cystadenoma of the lung: case report and review of the literature

Pulmonary mucinous cystadenoma complicated with infection: A rare case report

RATIONALE

Mucinous cystadenoma is a benign tumor that is commonly found in the pancreas, ovaries, or appendix, but is rarely encountered in the lungs. Worldwide, only a few reported cases of these tumors originate in the lungs. Herein, we analyzed the imaging features of a case of pulmonary mucinous cystadenoma (PMCA). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of PMCA complicated by significant infection.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 57-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with blood in sputum for more than 2 months. Serum laboratory examination showed significantly elevated leukocyte and tumor marker, carcinoembryonic antigen. Enhanced thoracic computed tomography and whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed a cystic-solid ill-defined mass in the right upper lung.

DIAGNOSIS

The tumor was considered malignant, both clinically and radiologically.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent right upper lobe tumor resection and mediastinal lymph node dissection.

OUTCOMES

Postoperative specimen pathology was diagnosed as PMCA with infection. The patient was not administered any further treatment. The patient was alive without any recurrence or metastasis of the tumor after 2 years of follow-up.

LESSONS

Preoperative diagnosis of PMCA with atypical imaging and clinical manifestations is extremely difficult. This is the first reported case of PMCA complicated by a significant infection that was misdiagnosed preoperatively as a malignancy.

Pulmonary Mucinous Cystadenoma - A Rare Pathology

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary cystadenoma is a very rare benign tumor of the lung with slow growth rate and most often, asymptomatic.

CASE REPORT

We present the case of a 58-year-old patient admitted in the hospital for coughing with hemoptoic sputum. Standard thoracic radiography revealed a 4/5 cm macronodular opacity in the right inferior lobe, paracardiac. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) with contrast discovered a 3.8/4.7 cm homogenous mass in the right inferior lobe. After intraoperative assessment of the lesion a lower right lobectomy with mediastinal and local lymphadenectomy was performed.

CONCLUSION

Pulmonary mucinous cystadenoma is one of the primary pulmonary mucinous cystic neoplasia (PMCT) alongside PMCT of low malignancy and pulmonary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (PMCAC). Because of this and because of the clinical and imagistic similarities between these main entities, establishing a preoperative diagnosis becomes very difficult. Therefore, histopathological and immunohistochemistry studies are mandatory in order to establish the correct diagnosis.

Pulmonary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma: an unusual presentation and literature review

Cystic lung disease is a group of heterogeneous pulmonary diseases resulting from hereditary/congenital disorders, systemic disorders and infectious causes among others. Pulmonary mucinous cystic neoplasia is a spectrum of neoplastic cystic diseases with abundant mucin, of which pulmonary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (PMC) is a rare malignant subtype. We present a case of a 66-year-old man who presented with dyspnoea, cough, fatigue and weight loss. Imaging of his chest showed numerous cavitary lesions, and the diagnosis of PMC was made based on lung biopsy. He received palliative chemotherapy and died 1 year later. We present a literature review of PMC based on 26 reported cases, including our own.

Fluid-filled Cystic Lesions of the Lungs

A pulmonary cyst usually refers to an air-filled space with a smooth, thin wall. Fluid-filled cystic lesions of the lungs include a range of etiologies such as true cysts, congenital malformations, infections, and benign and malignant neoplasms. With relatively little solid component, these lesions often have similar imaging appearances to one another. This article focuses on key imaging features and clinical characteristics that can be used to narrow the differential diagnosis.